What is Viagra®?

Nearly a third of men over the age of 40 are affected by erectile dysfunction. In some situations, the little blue pill known as Viagra® may be the solution.

But what is behind this sex-enhancing drug?

Viagra® requires a prescription and cannot be sold online in France.

How does Viagra work?

Viagra® helps blood flow into the penis by inhibiting an enzyme, phosphodiesterase E5, often called PDE5.

PDE5 degrades one of the molecules (cGMP) that allows the relaxation of smooth muscles in the penis and the blood flow necessary for erection. Inhibiting PDE5 therefore makes it easier to achieve erections.

Viagra® promotes erection when a man is sexually stimulated. Stimulation is still necessary because the medication alone will not cause an erection. Viagra® does not act as an aphrodisiac.

How to use Viagra?

The Viagra® tablet should be swallowed with a glass of water. It is recommended to take it about 1 hour before having sexual intercourse.

For most men, Viagra® starts working within 30 minutes of taking it and peaks within an hour. That’s why doctors recommend taking the medication one hour before having sex.

Viagra® is a medication whose active substance is Sildenafil. It was put on the market in 1998 in the United States and Europe. This oral medication is a vasodilator that acts specifically on the penis.

Viagra® for men: at what age, in which cases?

Viagra® can be taken by men aged 18 and over who have erectile dysfunction after a medical and psychological assessment. The causes of these disorders can be:

• cardiovascular risk factors,
• factors linked to treatments, particularly for prostate or prostate cancer, or even psychotropic drugs
• hormonal imbalances with testosterone deficiency
• mental disorders

What are the effects?

The desired effect is of course an easier erection, a more qualitative and more durable erection. There are side effects, often transient in 10% of patients: headache, facial redness, digestive disorders, or dizziness.

Buying Viagra®: is it possible without a prescription?

Viagra® is only sold on prescription in France. It is therefore not possible to obtain it without one. And, it is not desirable because of the contraindications, the dosages to be respected and the necessary medical monitoring.

Buying Viagra® on the Internet: what precautions should you take?

You should absolutely refrain from buying Viagra on the Internet: This risks taking counterfeit medications which are therefore potentially dangerous.

Contraindications of Viagra®

There are a number of contraindications to Viagra®:

• Simultaneous intake of medications for cardiovascular diseases containing nitrate derivatives.
• Taking poppers.
• A cardiovascular disease, a heart attack or a recent stroke.

Erection: Viagra ® not always effective the first time

The first absorption of a sex-enhancing drug can be followed by failure. It is considered that it takes between 4 and 8 attempts before really speaking of failure and considering another means.

Viagra® is not recommended for diabetics.

If the disorder is of diabetic origin, the effectiveness is lower (60-70% or even less).

Erection: There is a Viagra ® power 10

Levitra® acts like Viagra® and Cialis®, except that its potency is 10 times stronger than Viagra® and 12 times stronger than Cialis®. It is recommended for its speed of action, within 20 minutes and for its potency. It is more effective in organic disorders such as diabetes or prostate removal.

Viagra ® is not an aphrodisiac

Viagra®, Ciali®s or Levitra®: these 3 products can only be purchased with a prescription. They are not reimbursed by social security.

Also, do not think that they will increase your desire to make love, nor the sensations and pleasures during lovemaking. It is not an aphrodisiac, it only serves to harden your penis durably during erection. Consequently, a man with his virility intact has no need to swallow these “miracle” pills.

Erection: a Viagra ® that works for 48 hours

Released by the French laboratory Lilly in 2003, Cialis® is comparable to Viagra® in its operation. Despite everything, it has different and interesting characteristics in its time of action (from the 15th minute) and its duration of action. It can last from 24 hours to 36 hours, or even 48 hours according to some experts.

The advantage of Cialis® over Viagra is precisely in this duration of action. It avoids having to schedule the period when you think you will have sex. Once the pill is swallowed, there is no stress about feeling obliged to do it within the hour that follows, otherwise the “magic potion” will no longer work.

Is Viagra® dangerous?

Viagra® does not pose any health risk as long as:

• It is taken in the absence of contraindications such as a history of heart, liver or blood pressure problems.
• The dosage established by the doctor is respected.
• No annoying side effects occur after taking it for the first time.

It is important to keep in mind that, like all medicines, Viagra® is likely to cause side effects that are more or less frequent.

Viagra®, for example, can be dangerous if used with nitrate derivatives, which are notably included in the composition of treatments prescribed for angina pectoris or poppers.

This is why a medical consultation is essential if you want to obtain Viagra®, to ensure that this treatment is prescribed safely.

How long does Viagra® work ?

Generally speaking, most men find that the effects of the blue pill begin to wear off two to three hours after the first take.

However, the duration of action of Viagra® can vary depending on different elements:

• Age
• Alcohol
• Food
• Health
• The dosage
• Taking medication

What are the long-term effects of Viagra ® ?

Viagra® does not provide a lasting cure for erectile dysfunction. The treatment only works for the length of time it is taken.

It can therefore be taken temporarily to help get through a difficult time (confidence problem, relationship problem or other temporary cause identified). And there is no particular contraindication to taking the treatment over time, as long as it is suitable for the patient.

Side effects and contraindications

Headache is the most common side effect of Viagra® and its generics, which are also formulated with Sildenafil.

More than one in 10 patients may in fact complain of headaches after taking the medication.

Contraindications and precautions for use

Viagra® should not be taken in combination with nitrates, which are treatments prescribed for angina pectoris, nor in combination with other oral treatments for erectile dysfunction, nor with nitric oxide such as poppers.

Also, any history related to heart, liver and blood pressure should be given special attention when sharing your medical history with your doctor for treatment of erectile dysfunction.